Two-way car washer of the rotary power-driven brush type



March 18, 1952 D. HOLMES 2,589,255

TWO-WAY CAR WASHER OF THE RQTARY POWER-DRIVEN BRUSH TYPE- Filed June 10,1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l TWO-WAY CAi? WASHER OF THE ROTARY POWER-DRIVENBRUSH TYPE Filed June 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March-18, 1952 L D.HOLMES 2,589,255

26 .Zoazlsll HOZHZ er v Q limp/207 March 18, 1952 D. HOLMES TWO-WAY CARWASHER OF THE ROTARY POWER-DRIVEN BRUSH TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June10, 1946 RE? JOZZZLDJ/olnz es March 18, 1952 D.

TWO-WAY CAR WASHER OF THE ROTARY HOLMES POWER-DRIVEN BRUSH TYPE FiledJune 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ I I \ah WI: 277/I/IA jozzial). H0 Z nes Patented Mar. 18, 1952 TWO-WAY CAR WASHER OFTHE ROTARY POWER-DRIVEN BRUSH TYPE Louis D. Holmes, Blue Island, 111.,assignor to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 10, 1946, Serial No. 675,698

Claims.

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for washingvehicles such, for example, as railroad cars. more particularly theinvention relates to that type of car washing apparatus which ispositioned at one side of the track for the car to be washed, serves towash the adjacent side of the car as the car is propelled past it, andas its principal components or parts comprises (1) an upstandingsupporting structure; (2) a rotary, vertically elongated, power drivenbrush; (3) a vertically elongated frame variety mounting which carriesthe brush and is pivotally connected to the supporting structure so thatit is capable of being swung laterally back and forth between anoperative or washing position wherein the brush is in engagement withthe adjacent side of the car and an inoperative position wherein thebrush is out of engagement with the car side; and (4) operatingmechanism for swinging the mounting back and forth between its operativeand inoperative positions.

One object of the invention is to provide a car washingapparatus of thistype which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over,previously designed apparatus for the same purpose and is characterizedby high efficiency and also simplicity of design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car washing apparatus ofthe type and character under consideration in which the operatingmechanism for swinging the brush mounting back and forth between itsoperative and inoperative positions is of novel design and constructionand includes as a prime mover a reversible electric torque motor whichserves, when actuated or energized to shift the brush mounting into itsoperative position, yieldingly to hold the mounting in such position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car washing apparatuswhich is of the 2-way or direction variety and is characterized by thefact that the brush mounting, when in its operative position extends inthe direction of travel of the car being Washed and the operatingmechanism for the mounting is so designed and constructed that themounting may be adapted to effect washing of the car regardless of thedirection in which the car is propelled past the apparatus. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a car washing apparatus of thelast mentioned character in which the operating mechanism comprises inaddition to a horizontal rock shaft .onthe supporting structure and apair of crank arms at opposite ends of the shaft, a link which .has oneend thereof pivotally connected to the brush mounting, embodies at itsother end a readily releasable coupling for connecting it to the distalend of either crank arm, and is adapted when the car being wash-ed ispropelled in one direction past the apparatus to have its couplingconnected to the distal end of one of the crank arms and when the car ispropelled in the opposite direction past the apparatus to have itscoupling connected to the outer end of the other arm.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car washingapparatus which effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intendedpurpose, embodies a novel arrangement of parts and is capable of beingproduced and operated at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present car washing apparatus will be apparentfrom a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a car washing apparatus embodying theinvention, showing in detail the manner in which the rotary power drivenbrush is supported so that it is capable of being swung laterallyrelatively to the supporting structure;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, illustrating the arrangement, design andconstruction of the operating mechanism for swinging the brush mountingback and forth between its operative and inoperative positions;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing indetail the operating mechanism;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 5--5 ofFigure 1 and showing the link of the operating mechanism connected toone of the crank arms of the rock shaft to the end that the brushmounting projects to one side of the supporting structure and is sopositioned that the brush is capable of washing the adjacent car side inconnection with propulsion of the car in one direction past theapparatus;

Figure 6 is a similar enlarged horizontal section showing the link ofthe operating mecha- 5 nism connected to the other crank arm on the endof the vertically extending shaft 22.

3 rock shaft to the end that the brush mounting projects to the otherside of the supporting structure and the brush is capable of Washing theadjacent side of the car in connection with reverse propulsion of thecar; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the link of the operatingmechanism, certain parts being broken away and other parts being shownin section in order to indicate the construction and design of thedetachable coupling whereby the link may be selectively connected toeither of the two crank arms of the mechanism.

The washing apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes thepreferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is primarily adaptedfor use in washing a railroad car (not shown) while the latter ispropelled in either direction past it. It is contemplated that theapparatus will be positioned on one side of the track for the car to bewashed and also that the apparatus will be used in connection with acomplemental apparatus on the other side of the track to the end thatthe two apparatuses in connection with use thereof will wash both sidesof the car. As its principal components or parts the car washingapparatus comprises an upstanding supporting structure ill, a frame typemounting H, a brush I2 on the mounting, and operating mechanism l3 forswinging the mounting together with the brush into and out of itsoperative position as described more in detail hereafter.

The supporting structure Hl rests on, and is anchored to, the foundationat one side of the track. It comprises a base plate It, a verticallyextending column 15 and a bracket 16. The base plate l4 extendshorizontally'and is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the subjacentportion of the foundation at the side of the car track. The column [5 issquare in cross section and consists of a front wall H, a pair of sidewalls IB and I9 and a back wall 22. The lower end of the column restson, and is preferably Welded to, the rear portion of the base plate M.The bracket l6 rests on, and is suitably fixedly secured to, the upperend of the column l5 and'embodies a vertically extending front wall 2lwhich is in alignment with, and forms a continuation of, the front wallI! of the column.

The brush mounting II is in the form of a frame and is positioned infront of the column l5 of the upstanding supporting structure Hi. It isvertically elongated and consists of a vertically extending shaft 22, ahorizontally extending lower arm 23, a horizontally extending upper 'arm24, and a vertically extending tie rod 25. The shaft 22 is locateddirectly in front of the central portion of the front wall ll of thecolumn [5 and has its lower end .journalled in a bearing 26 on the frontcentral portion of the base plate [4 of the supporting structure Ill.The upper end of the shaft 22 is journalled in a pair of verticallyspaced bearings 2! and these are mounted on, and project forwards from,the front wall 2| of the bracket [6. The bearings 26 and 2'! permit thebrush mounting II to swing laterally. The horizontally extending lowerarm 23 of the mounting II is connected to, and projects radially from,the lower The horizontally extending upper arm 24 overlies, and isspaced an appreciable distance above,

'the lower arm 23 and is connected to, and projects radially from, theupper end of the shaft 22. The tie rod 25 is disposed in parallelrelation with the shaft 22 and has the lower end thereof connected tothe central portion of the lower arm 23. The upper end of the tie rod 25is connected to the central portion of the upper arm 24. The tie rodserves to connect the two arms of the brush mounting so that they swingtogether in connection with lateral swinging of the mounting.

The brush I2 is vertically elongated and comprises a verticallyextending shaft 28 and a series of bristle equipped split hubs. The hubssurround and are clamped to the central portion of the shaft 28. Thelower end of the shaft is journalled in a bearing 29 on the outer ordistal end of the horizontally extending lower arm 23 of the mounting IIand the upper end of the shaft extends through, and is journalled in, abearing 39 on the outer or distal end of the upper arm 24. In connectionwith operation of the apparatus the brush is driven at a comparativelyhigh speed by way of an electric motor 3] and a belt and pulleyconnection The motor 3! is mounted on a bracket 33 on the central upperportion of the horizontally extending upper arm of the brush mountingand is arranged so that the armature shaft thereof extends vertically.The belt and pulley connection 32 is in the form of a pair of pulleysand an endless belt. One of the pulleys is mounted on the lower end ofthe armature shaft of the motor 3| and the other pulley is mounted onthe upper end of the brush shaft 28. The belt of the connection 32extends around the two pulleys. When the motor 3! is in operation thebelt and pulley connection serves to drive the brush -l2. When the carbeing washed is propelled to the left, as shown by the arrow in Figure5, the brush and mounting, when in their operative or washing position,are positioned as shown in such figure and when the car being washed ispropelled in the opposite or reverse direction as shown by the arrow inFigure 6, the brush and mounting, when in their operative position, arepositioned as shown in Figure 6. In other words, when the car beingwashed is propelled to the left as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5,the brush mounting extends in the direction of travel of the car andprojects to the left of the column [5 of the supporting structure andwhen the 'car being washed is propelled in the opposite direction thebrush mounting H extends in the direction of travel of the car andprojects to the right of the column. The mounting for the brush permitsthe brush to swing inwards regardless of the direction of travel of thecar being washed.

The operating mechanism I3 serves to swing the brush [2 into and out ofits operative position regardless of whether the mounting II ispositioned to the left of the column H! as shown in Figure 5, or to theright of the column as shown in Figure 6. It operates, as hereinafterdescribed more in detail, yieldingly to hold the brush in its operativeor washing position and also to retract the brush when it is not in use.As its parts the mechanism I3 comprises an electric torque motor 34 ofthe reversible type or variety, a speed reducing unit 35, a chain andsprocket connection 36, a rock shaft 3'1, a pair of crank arms 38 and39, a link 40 and an arm 41. The motor 34 is positioned exteriorly ofthe upper end of the column l5 of the supporting structure Ill. Itis'mounted on a'bracket 42 on the column side wall l9 and is arranged sothat the armature shaft thereof extends horizontally and is in'parallelrelation with the side walls of the column IS. The speed reducing unit35 is of the bevel gear variety in order that it is reversible. It ismounted on the front portion of the bracket 42 and has the drive shaftthereof connected by a coupling 43 to the front end of the armatureshaft of the motor 34. The chain and sprocket connection 36 comprises asmall sized sprocket wheel 44, a large sized sprocket wheel 45 and anendless chain 46. The sprocket wheel 44 is mounted on the driven shaftof the speed reducing unit 35 and is disposed outwards of, and inparallel relation with the side wall [9 of the column I5. The othersprocket wheel, i. e., the large sized sprocket wheel 45 is locatedbeneath the sprocket wheel 44 and is keyed or otherwise fixedly securedto one end of the rock shaft 31. The chain 46, as best shown in Figure4, extends around the two sprocket wheels. A housing 41 surrounds andserves to protect the chain and sprocket connection 36 and is connectedto, and for the most part depends from, the bracket 42 on which aremounted the electric motor 34 and the speed reducing unit 35. The rockshaft 31 extends horizontally and is disposed in parallel relation withthe front and back walls of the column l5. It extends through, and isjournalled in, coaxial holes 48 in the column side walls l3 and I9 andis arranged so that its ends are disposed exteriorly of the column. Thecrank arm 38 of the operating mechanism I3 is fixedly connected to, andprojects radially forwards and downwards from, the end of the shaft 31that is adjacent the column side wall l8. As best shown in Figures and6, the outer end of the crank arm 38 is provided with a spherical head38a. Such head is located outwards of the crank arm 38 and embodies alaterally extending shank which extends through, and is suitably securedto, the outer or distal end of said crank arm. The crank arm 39 isconnected to, and extends radially forwards and downwards from, the endof the rock shaft that is disposed adjacent the column side wall l9. Theouter end of the crank arm 39 is provided with a spherical head 39a andthis is located outwards of said crank arm and is connected to thelatter by way of a shank which extends through, and is suitably securedto, said outer end of the crank arm 39. As shown in the drawings the twocrank arms are arranged or disposed in parallel relation. When theelectric motor 34 is driven in one direction the two crank arms swingupwards and when the electric motor is reversely operated or driven thetwo crank arms swing downwards. The link 40 and the arm 4| serveoperatively to connect either of the crank arms to the brush frame Thearm 4| extends horizontally and has one end thereof fixedly connected tothe central portion of the shaft 22 of the brush mounting. The centralportion of the arm 4| has an outwardly extending notch 49 in which thecentral portion of the tie rod 25 is seated. In view of the manner inwhich the arm 4| is mounted such arm serves, when swun horizontally,correspondingly to swing the brush mounting. The link 48 has one endthereof pivotally connected to the outer or distal end of the arm 4| byway of a clevis type swivel 50. The latter comprises a spindle part 5|and a yoke shape part 52. The spindle part 5| of the swivel extendsthrough, and is rotatably mounted in, a vertical hole 53 in the outer ordistal end of the arm 4|. A collar 54 on the upper end of the spindlepart 5| serves to hold the swivel 50 against axial displacement withrespect to the arm 4|. The yoke shaped part 52 of the swivel isconnected to the lower end of, and depends from, the lower end of thespindle part 5| and embodies a crosspin 55 at its lower end. Said oneend of the link 48 is disposed within the yoke shaped part of the swiveland has a horizontal hole through which the central portion of the pivotpin 55 extends. The swivel 50 serves so to connect the link 48 to thearm 4| that it is free to pivot or swing universally relatively to saidarm. The other end of the link 40 is provided with a detachable coupling56 whereby it may be selectively connected to the crank arm head 38a orthe crank arm head 39a, depending upon whether the brush mounting II islocated to the left of the column I5, as shown in Figure 5, or to theright of the column, as shown in Figure 6. The coupling 56 comprises apair of elongated complemental socket forming members 51 and 58. Certainends of these members are pivotally connected together by way of a pivotpin 59. The end of the member 51 that is opposite the pivoted end isprovided with an extension 68 which is semi-circular in cross sectionand is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the free end of the link4|]. The end of the member 58 that is opposite the pivoted end embodiesan extension 6| which is semi-circular in cross section and is adaptedto receive said free end of the link 40. The pivot pin 59 permits thecoupling member 56 to be swung into an open position as shown in dottedlines in Figure 7. When the member 56 is in its open position thecoupling 56 may be applied to either of the heads 38a or 39a. Inconnection with application of the coupling '56 to the head 33a thecoupling member 51 is shifted into engagement with the head 38a and thenthe coupling member 58 is swung into its closed position so as toconfine the head within the socket that is formed by the two couplingmembers 51 and 58. The coupling is similarly applied to the head 39a onthe outer end of the outer crank arm 39. The coupling member 58 isreleasably secured in its closed position by way of a sleeve 62 which isslidably mounted on the free end of the link 40. When the couplingmember 58 is in its closed position and the sleeve 62 is slid outwardsthe outer end of the sleeve extends around the extensions 60 and 6| andthus holds the coupling member 58 in its closed position. To release thecoupling member 58 it is only necessary to slide the sleeve 62 in theopposite direction, 1. e., away from the coupling members 51 and 58. Thesleeve is urged into its locking position by means of a compressionspring 63 which surrounds the free end of the link 40 and is interposedbetween a collar 64 and the inner end of the sleeve. In order to releasethe coupling member 58 so that it may be swung into its open position itis only necessary to shift the sleeve 62 inwards against the force ofthe compression spring 63. The central portion of the sides of thecoupling members 51 and 58 are provided with notches 65 foraccommodating the shanks of the heads 38a and 39a on the outer or distalends of the crank arms 38 and 33; The coupling 56, as previously pointedout, permits the link 46 to be operatively connected to either of thecrank arms 38 and 33, When the brush mounting is positioned, as shown inFigure 5, at the left hand side of the column l5 so that the brush isoperative to wash the '7 adjacent car side during travel of the carin'the directionindicated bythe arrow in- Figure 5, the eoupling 56 isconnected to the spherical head 38a on'the distal end of the crank arm38. ln' connection'with upward swing of the crank arm-es due to drive ofthe electric motor 34in one' 'direction the brush mounting is shiftedoutwards into its operative or washing position wherein the brush l2engages the adjacent side of- 'the-car being washed. When'the .motor 34is -re'verselydriven the crank arm 38 is caused to=swing downwards'an'doperates through the medium of'the link 40 and'the arm 4| to swing theb'iushmounting i rearwards into its inoperativ'e position wherein thebrush isout of engagement with the car being washed. Whenthe brushmoun'ting is positioned-as shown in Figure 6, atthe'right hand side ofthe column l5 so thatthe brush is'operative 'towash the adjacent carside during travel of the car in the direction iridicatedby the arrowinFigure 6, the coupling is con'nected to the spherical head 39a'on thedistal end of 'the'crank arm 33. In connection with upward swing'of' thecrank arm 39 due to driv'e-ofthe electric'motor 34 in one direction the'brushmountin'g is shifted outwards into its operative or washingposition wherein the brush l2 e'ng'ages the adjacent side of the carbeing w'ashe'd. When the motor 34 is reversely driven the crank arm eais caused to swing downwards and-operates through'the medium of the link40 and thearm 4! to swing the brush mounting rea'rwardsintoits'inoperative position wherein tlie bru'sh is out of engagementwith the car being washed. Because the motor 34 is a torque motor themotor serves yi'eldingly to hold the mounting and br'uSh in theiroperative position regardless of- Whether the link 40 is operativelyconnected to-thecrank arm 38 or the crank arm 39. It is contemplatedthat in'connection with a washing operation the motor'34 will beconstantly supplied with current-so that it will urge the mounting-'andbrush against the adjacent side of the cair beingviashed. -It is furthercontemplated that the motor 34 will be reversely driven at the end ofa-car washing operation in order to retract the-mounting and brush.

For purposes of limiting outward and inward swinging of the brushmounting H between its operativeand inoperative positions and alsourgingthemounting into its retracted or inoperative p'osition a unitEGis provided. This unit is disposed directly outwards of the centralportion of the side wall [9 of the column and comprises an arm 61, a rod68 and a counterweight 69. The arm 6'! of the unit 66 is fixedlyconnected to the rock shaft 3?. It is located directly inwards of thecrank arm 39 and extends forwards and upwards (see Figure 2). The rod 68extends vertically and depends from the arm 61. The upper end of the rodis pivotally connected to the outer or distal end of the arm 61 and thelower end of the rod extends slidably through a vertically extendingbracket 10 which is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to, and projectoutwards from, the column side wall l9. Arubberwasher H is mounted onthe lower extremity of the rod 68 and rests on a nut 12 on a"male'screwthread on the lower extremity of th'e'rod. When the brush mounting I lis swung forwards into its operative position the rod 68 slides upwardsuntil the rubber washer H is broughtinto'engagement or abutment with thebracket "l0. As soon as the washer H is in abutment with the bracketforward swinging of I or abutment with the bracket 70.

the-brush mounting is stopped or arrested. By adjusting the nut 12 theextent or degree' of forward swinging of the brush mountingmay' becontrolled. When the nut is adjusted downwards with respect to the rod68 an increase in the amount of outward or forward swinging'of thebrushmounting is effected. When the nut l2 is' upwardly adjusted with respectto the rod the amount of outward swing of the brush mounting isdecreased. A look nut 13 serves to hold the nut 72 in its variousadjusted positions. The washer 7| together with the nut '12 and'the locknut '63 constitutes means for adjustably limiting forward swing of thebrush mounting; A

' rubber washer 'M is mounted on the lower end of the rod 63 above thebracket in and underlies an adjusting nut 15. When the brush mounting Hisswung inwards the rod 68 slides downwards until the washer i4 isbrought into engagement As soon as the washer is in abutment with thebracket rearward swinging of the brush mounting is arrested or stopped.By adjusting the nut 15 the washer '24 may be axially shifted withrespect to the rod [58in order to control the amount of inward swing ofthe brush mounting. When the washer I4 is adjusted upwards the degree ofrearward swing of the brush mounting is increased and when the Washer 15is downwardly adjusted with respect to the rod 68 the degree or amountof rearward swing of the brush mounting is decreased. A lock nut 16overlies the nut 15 and serves to hold the latter in its variousadjusted positions. The washer i i together with the nut 15 and the locknut '56 constitutes or exemplifies means for adjustably limitingrearward swinging of the brush mounting. The counterweight 69 is mountedon the centralportion of the rod 68 and-operates to urge the brushmounting into its inoperative or retracted position. Should the electric"motor 34 fail the counterweight 68 will act or operate to eiiectautomatic retraction of the brush mounting. The unit 68functions'regardless of whether the link 4| is'connected to the'crank'arm 38 or the crank arm 39.

In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the-carwashin apparatuscomprises a splash shield?! and a pair of spray pipes 18. The splashshield i7 is vertically'elongated and surrounds the'rear half of thebristle part of the brush l2. It-- comprises a semi-cylindrical sidewall 19, a top wall and a bottom Wall8l. The top wall 8El-embodies abearing type collar '82 which surrounds the upper portion of the brushshaft 28. The bottom wall 8| is provided with a bearing typecollar 83which surrounds the lower end of the brush shaft and rests on thebearing '29. The spray pipes 18 are connected to, and-extend lengthwiseof, the side margins of the side wall Not the shield. They embodyforwardly extending nozzles and are supplied with water or a washingfluid under pressure by way of'fiexible hoses 84. When the apparatus isin operation it is contemplated that the spray pipes 18 will spray wateror washing fiui-d onto the adjacent side of the car being washed. Inorder automatically to maintain the splash shield so that its open sidefaces forwards at all times regardless of swinging movement of the brushmounting a lever85 and a link 86 are provided. The lever 85 is rigidlyconnected to, and projects forwards from. the collar 83 on the'bottomwall '8l of the splash shield'and embodies at its front end a" dependingor downwardly extending extension-81. The link 86'extends horizontallyand underlies the lower arm 23 of the brush mounting H as shown inFigures 1 and 2. One end of the link 85 is pivotally connected to anupstanding pivot member 88 on the front portion of the base plate M ofthe supporting structure I and the other end of the link 86 is pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the lever extension 81. When the brushmounting I l is swung laterally in either direction the lever 85 and thelink 86 will so automatically control the splash shield 11 that it willat all times be positioned with the open side thereof facing forwards.The lever and link operate regardless of whether the brush mounting H islocated at the left or right hand side of the column I5.

When it is desired to use the apparatus in connection with washing of acar which is being propelled past the apparatus in the direction of thearrow in Figure the brush mounting H is swung to the left hand side ofthe column l5 and the link 40 is operatively connected to the crank arm38 of the operating mechanism I3 by applying the detachable coupling 56to the spherical head 38a on the outer or distal end of the crank arm38. In connection with a car washing operation the electric torque motor34 is energized so as to cause it to swing upwards the crank arm 38. Inconnection with upward swing of the crank arm the brush mounting isshifted outwards into its operative or washing position wherein thebrush l2 engages the adjacent side of the car being washed. Aspreviously pointed out the motor 34, because it is a torque motor,serves yieldingly to hold the brush against the car. At the end of a carwashing operation the motor 34 is reversely driven so that it operatesto retract the brush mounting into its inoperative position wherein thebrush is out of engagement with the adjacent car. When it is desired towash a car which is being propelled past the apparatus in the oppositedirection, i. e., in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6,the coupling 53 is first detached from the crank arm 38. Thereafter thebrush mounting is swung manually to the right hand side of the column I5of the upstanding supporting structure lfl. After such swinging of thebrush mounting the detachable coupling 56 is applied to the sphericalhead 39a on the outer end of the crank arm 39. When the motor 34 isenergized so as to swing the crank arm 39 upwards the brush mounting l iis swung forwards or outwards into its operative position and the motorserves yieldingly to hold the brush against the adjacent side of the carbeing washed. After the car washing operation the motor 34 is reverselydriven so as to retract the brush and mounting. should the motor 34 failfor any reason whatsoever the counterweight 39 of the unit 66 operatesautomatically to retract the brush and mounting. It is contemplated thatduring a washing operation the brush l2 will be driven by the electricmotor 3! and water or washing fluid will be supplied under pressure tothe spray pipes 18.

The herein described washing apparatus effectively and efficientlyfulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by the fact that thetorque motor 34 constituting the prime mover of the operating mechanisml3 serves yieldingly to hold the brush and mounting in their operativeor washing posititon. It is further characterized by the fact that it isessentially a 2-way or 2- direction washer in that it may be readilyadapted to wash a car regardless of the direction of propulsion ortravel of the car, Because of the arrangement of parts and simplicity ofde sign the apparatus may be produced and operated at a comparativelylow cost.

Whereas the apparatus has been described in connection with the washingof a railroad car it is to be understood that it may also be used towash other forms or types of vehicles. It is also to be understood thatthe invention is not to be restricted to the details set forh ince thesemay be modified wihin the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves by it andcomprising a supporting structure adjacent the path of movement of thevehicle, an elongated rotary power driven brush, a mounting for thebrush supported on the structure so that it together with the brush iscapable of being swung laterally towards and away from the vehicle to bewashed, and means for swinging the brush mounting back and forth,embodying a rock shaft journalled on the supporting structure, a crankarm connected fixedly to, and radiating from, the rock shaft, and arigid link having one end thereof pivctally connected to the distal endof the crank arm and its other end pivotally connected to the mounting.

2. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves by it andcomprising an upstanding supporting structure at one side of the path ofmovement of the vehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power drivenbrush, a mounting for the brush supported on the structure so that ittogether with the brush is capable of being swung laterally back andforth between a position wherein the brush is in engagement with theadjacent side of the vehicle and a position wherein the brush is out ofengagement with the adjacent vehicle side, and means for swinging thebrush mounting back and forth between said positions, embodying ahorizontally extending rock shaft journalled on the supporting structure and adapted to be rocked throughout an arc of less than a crank armconnected fixedly to, and radiating from, the rock shaft, and a rigidlink having one end thereof pivotally connected to the distal end of thecrank arm and its other end operatively connected to the mountmg.

3. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves by it andcomprising an upstanding supporting structure aton side of the path ofmovement of the vehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power drivenbrush, a mounting for the brush supported on the structure so that ittogether with a brush is capable of being swung laterally back and forthbetween a position wherein the brush is in engagement with the adjacentside of the vehicle and a position wherein the brush is out ofengagement with the adjacent vehicle side, and means for swinging thebrush mounting back and forth between said positions embodying areversible electric torque motor on the supporting structure, ahorizontally extending rock shaft journalled on said supportingstructure and operatively connected to, and adapted to be rocked ineither direction by, said electric torque motor, a crank arm connectedfixedly to, and extending radially from; the rock shaft, and a rigidlink having one end thereof connected to the distal end of the crank armand its other end pivotally connected to said brush mounting.

4. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves by it andcomprising an upstanding supporting structure at one side of'the path ofmovement of the vehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power drivenbrush, a mounting for the brush supported on the structure so that ittogether with the brush is capable of being swung laterally back andforth between'a position wherein the brush is in engagement with theadjacent side of the vehicle and a position wherein the brush is out ofengagement with the adjacent vehicle side, and means for swinging thebrush mounting back and forth between said positions, embodying ahorizontally-extending rock shaft on the supporting structure, a crankarm connected to, and radiating from, the rock shaft, a link having oneend thereof pivotally connected to the distal end of the crank arm andits other end operatively connected to the mounting, and means forurging the brush mounting into its inoperative position, consisting ofan arm connected to, and extending radially upwards from, the rockshaft, and a counterweight connected to, and depending from, the distalend of said arm.

5. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicl as the latter moves by it andcomprising an upstanding supporting structure at one side of the path ofmovement of the vehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power drivenbrush, a vertically elongated mounting for the brush supported on thestructureso that it together with the brush iscapable of being swunglaterally towards and away-from the vehicle to be washed, means forswinging the brushmounting towards and away from said vehicle, embodyinga horizontalrock shaft on the supporting structure, a crank armconnected to, and radiating from, the rock shaft and a linkhaving oneend connected to the distal end or the crank arm, andits other endoperativelyconnectedto the brush, mounting, and means for limitingswinging of said brush mounting towards andaway from thevehicle'consisting of an aperturedelement on the supporting struc--ture, an arm connected to, and radiating from the. rock shaft, and a rodhaving one end thereof pivotally connectedto the outer endof said armand its other end-extending slidably through the aperture in the elementand provided with axially adjustable stop members in straddled relationwith said element.

6. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves in eitherdirection past it and comprising an upstanding column type supportingstructure atone side of the path of'movement of the vehicle, avertically elongated rotary power driven brush, a vertically elongatedmounting connected: to the. supporting structure to swing laterally,having means at the distal portion thereof for rotatably supporting thebrush and adapted in, connection with movement of the vehicle in onedirection to be positioned at one side of the supporting structureand-so that it extends substantially in-said one direction while at thesame time it is capable-of swinging towards and away from the vehicleand in connection with movement of the vehicle in the oppositedirectionto be-positionedat the otherside ofthe supporting structure andso that it extendssubstantially in said opposite direction while at. thesame time it is capable of'swinging towards and away from the vehicle,and means mounted-for the most part on the supporting structure, op-

erative to swing the mounting towards and away from the vehicleregardless of whether it is positioned as first mentioned or as secondmentioned, and comprising a reversible prime mover, mechanism connectedto the prime mover for drive in one direction or the other and providedwith two spaced apart points of attachment, and an operating connectionadapted selectively to be connected so as to extend either between onepoint of attachment and the brush mounting or the other point ofattachment and the brush mounting, depending upon positioning of saidmount- '7. Anapparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves ineither direction past it and comprising an upstanding column typesupport ing structure at one side of the path of movement. of thevehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power driven brush, a verticallyelongated mounting connected. to the supporting structure toswingllaterally, having means at the distal portion thereof forrotatably supporting the brush and adapted in connection with movementof the vehicle in one. direction to be positioned at one side of. thesupporting structure and so that it extends substantially in said onedirection while at the same time it is capable of swinging towards andaway from the vehicle and in connection with movement of the vehicle inthe opposite direction to be positioned at the other side of thesupporting structure and so that it extends substantially in saidopposite direction whileat the same time it is capable of swingingtowards and away from the vehicle, and means operative to swing themounting towards and away from the vehicle regardless of whether it ispositioned as first mentioned or as second mentioned, and comprising areversible electric torque motor, mechanism connected to the motor fordrive in one direction or the other and provided with two spaced apartpoints of attachment, and an operating connection adapted selectively tobe connected so as to extend either between one point of attachment andthe brush mounting or the other point of attachment and the brush,mounting, depending upon positioning of said mounting.

8. An apparatus'adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves in eitherdirection past it and comprising an upstanding column typesupportingstructure at one side of the path of movement ;of.-thevehicle, a vertically elongated rotary power driven brush, a verticallyelongated mounting connected to the supporting structure to swing;laterally, having means at the distal portion thereof for rotatablysupporting the brush, and adapted in connection with movement ofthe-vehicle in one direction to be positioned at one;sideof thesupporting structure and so that it extends substantially in said onedirection while at the same time it is capable of swinging towards andaway from the vehicle and in connection with movement of the vehicle inthe opposite direction to be positioned at the other side of thesupporting structure and so that it extends substantially in saidopposite direction while at the same time it is capable of swingingtowards andaway from the vehicle, and power means for swinging themounting towards and away from the vehicle regardless of whetherpositionedas first mentioned or as second mentioned, including ahorizontal rock shaft mounted onthe supporting structure and disposed insubstantially parallel relation with the path of .movement of thevehicle, a pair of crank arms connected to opposite ends of the rockshaft and a link having one end thereof operatively connected to themounting and its other end provided with a detachable coupling wherebyit may be selectively connected to one or the other of the crank arms,depending upon positioning of the mounting.

9. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves past itand comprising a supporting member adjacent the path of movement of thevehicle, an elongated rotary power driven brush, a mounting member forthe brush pivotally supported on the supporting member so that ittogether with the brush is capable of swinging laterally into and out ofa Washing position wherein the brush engages the vehicle, and means forswinging the mounting member into its washing position embodying anelectric torque motor on one of the members and an operating connectionbetween the motor and the other member, the motor being adapted during avehicle washing operation to be energized continuously, the operatingconnection being so designed and constructed that the motor whileenergized after swinging of the mounting member into its washingposition serves yieldingly to hold said mounting member in suchposition.

10. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter moves past itand comprising an upstanding supporting member adjacent the path ofmovement of the vehicle, an elongated rotary power driven brush, amounting member for the brush pivotally supported on the supportingmember so that it together with the brush is capable of swinginglaterally towards and away from the vehicle to be washed, adjustablestop means for limiting swinging of the mounting member towards and awayfrom the vehicle, and means for swinging the mounting member towards andaway from the vehicle to the extent determined by said adjustable stopmeans embodying a reversible electric torque motor on one of the membersand an operating connection between the motor and the other member, themotor being adapted during a vehicle washing operation to be energizedcontinuously, the operating connection being so designed and constructedthat the motor while energized after swinging of the mounting membertowards the vehicle serves yieldingly to hold said mounting membertowards the vehicle.

LOUIS D. HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

